Caladium plant named ‘Burst My Bubble’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Burst My Bubble’, characterized by its intermediate to tall height; upright and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit; rapid growth rate; fancy-type leaves that are dark green flushed with dark greyed purple in color with lighter greyed purple-colored spots; and leaf petioles that are light greyed red in color with numerous dark brown-colored stippling and streaks.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BURST MY BUBBLE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Burst My Bubble’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2011 in Avon Park, Fla. of a proprietary selection ofCaladium X hortulanum identified as code designation MH-1, not patented,as the female, or seed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘Red Flash’,not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant wasdiscovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. in September, 2012.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2013 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Burst My Bubble’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Burst My Bubble’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Intermediate to tall in height and upright and mounding plant        habit; dense and bushy appearance.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Fancy-type leaves that are dark green flushed with dark        greyed purple in color with lighter greyed purple-colored spots.    -   4. Petioles that are light greyed red in color with numerous        dark brown-colored stippling and streaks.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium have fancy-type leaves whereas        plants of the female parent selection have lance-type leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and the female parent selection        differ in leaf color as leaves of plants of the new Caladium are        dark green in color flushed with dark greyed purple in color        with lighter greyed purple-colored spots whereas leaves of        plants of the female parent selection are mostly salmon pink in        color without any spots or markings.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and the female parent selection        differ in leaf petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are        light greyed red in color with numerous dark brown-colored        stippling and streaks whereas petioles of plants of the female        parent selection are almost black in color or almost black and        tinged with reddish orange.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Red Flash’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium grow much faster than plants of        ‘Red Flash’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Red Flash’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of plants of the new Caladium are dark green in        color flushed with dark greyed purple in color with lighter        greyed purple-colored spots whereas leaves of plants of ‘Red        Flash’ have red-colored venation and interveinal areas with pink        and white-colored spots and dark green-colored borders.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium typically have a        metallic sheen whereas leaves of plants of ‘Red Flash’ do not        have a metallic sheen.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Postman Joyner’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘PostmanJoyner’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium grow much faster than plants of        ‘Postman Joyner’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Postman Joyner’ differ in        leaf color as leaves of the new Caladium are dark green in color        flushed with dark greyed purple in color with lighter greyed        purple-colored spots whereas leaves of ‘Postman Joyner’ are dark        green in color with bright red-colored centers.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium typically have a        metallic sheen whereas leaves of plants of ‘Postman Joyner’ do        not have a metallic sheen.    -   4. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Postman Joyner’ differ in        leaf petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are light        greyed red in color with numerous dark brown-colored stippling        and streaks whereas petioles of ‘Postman Joyner’ are dark olive        green to close to black in color.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘John Peed’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘John Peed’in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium grow much faster than plants of        ‘John Peed’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘John Peed’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of the new Caladium are dark green in color        flushed with dark greyed purple in color with lighter greyed        purple-colored spots whereas leaves of ‘John Peed’ have dark        red-colored centers and red-colored venation with dark        green-colored margins.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium typically have a        metallic sheen whereas leaves of plants of ‘John Peed’ do not        have a metallic sheen.    -   4. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘John Peed’ differ in leaf        petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are light greyed        red in color with numerous dark brown-colored stippling and        streaks whereas petioles of ‘John Peed’ are dark pink with dark        green to almost black-colored stippling and streaks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 7) is a side perspectiveview of a typical plant of ‘Burst My Bubble’ in a container and grown ina shadehouse (tuber not de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 7) is acomparison view of typical plants of ‘Burst My Bubble’ grown incontainers; the plant on the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and theplant on the right has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3 of 7) is a sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘Burst My Bubble’ grown in an openproduction field.

The photograph at the top of the third sheet (FIG. 4 of 7) is acomparison view of typical potted plants of the female parent selection(left), ‘Burst My Bubble’ (center) and the male parent, ‘Red Flash’(right).

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet (FIG. 5 of 7) is acomparison view of typical potted plants of ‘Postman Joyner’ (left),‘Burst My Bubble’ (center) and ‘John Peed’ (right).

The photograph on the fourth sheet (FIG. 6 of 7) is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of ‘BurstMy Bubble’.

The photograph on the fifth sheet (FIG. 7 of 7) is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘Burst My Bubble’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from 10,000to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were eight weeksold and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were seven months old whenthe photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘Burst My Bubble’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Caladium X            hortulanum identified as code designation MH-1, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Red Flash’,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            elliptic and irregular in shape. Height: About 3.5 cm.            Diameter: About 5.9 cm to 8.5 cm. Segment height: About            2.8 cm. Segment diameter: About 2.8 cm. Axillary bud size:            About 3 mm by 3 mm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat            brittle. Color: Epidermis, freshly-harvested: Close to 159D.            Epidermis, dried: Close to 200A. Cortical tissue: Close to            2D and 4D. Axillary buds: Close to 36A and 37D. Root            description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few            lateral branches; color, close to N155D. Rooting habit:            Medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate to tall in height and            upright to mounded plant habit; inverted triangle and wider            than tall; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit            and rapid growth rate; potted plants finish in saleable form            in about six to seven weeks after planting tubers; leaf            petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing points on            tubers; leaf petioles initially upright and outwardly            leaning with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 30 cm to 34 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 40 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 40 cm to 46 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About two to three develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            4.8 cm to 6.3 cm. Width: About 1.3 cm to 1.8 cm. Shape:            Elongated elliptic. Apex: Acute or acuminate. Base:            Sheathing the stem. Color, inner surface: Close to N155C and            182D; colors and patterns on the outer surface are visible            on the inner surface. Color, outer surface: Close to 195B            and 147C variably tinged with close to N170D; densely            stripped, streaked and tessellated with close to 200A; with            development, color becoming closer to N200A and 200B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 16 cm to 23.5            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 12.6 cm to 17            cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate; mostly flat.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; mostly flat to somewhat undulate with broad            undulations.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; when            developing, glossy; with development, mostly dull typically            with a metallic sheen.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            glaucous with a dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully            developed leaves, upper surface: Background color: Darker            than 139A flushed with 183A tinged with close to 53A. Leaf            edge: Close to 185A; towards the margins, darker than 139A            flushed with close to 183A tinged with 53A. Basal notch:            Close to N186C. Midvein and primary venation: Close to N186A            and N186B surrounded by close to 185A tinged with close to            46A. Random spots: Close to 184B and 184C. Developing and            fully developed leaves, lower surface: Background color:            Close to 191A tinged with close to 189A; random sectors,            close to 187A to 187B. Leaf edge: Close to 183A; towards the            margins, more green and darker than 189A. Basal notch: Close            to 187A and N186C. Midvein: Close to 185D streaked and            flecked with close to 184B. Primary venation: Close to 196A            tinged, streaked and flecked with close to 184B. Random            spots: Close to N170D and 182D.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and            outwardly leaning with development; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 24 cm to 30 cm.            Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About            3.5 mm to 5 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown            potted plants: About 7 mm to 8 mm. Texture and luster:            Smooth, glabrous; mostly glossy, distally, glaucous. Color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants, when developing and fully            developed: Close to 181D with dense stippling and streaks,            close to 200A; distally (just below leaf junction), close to            182C to 182D and 147C with stippling and streaks, close to            182A. Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 5.5            cm to 7.2 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants:            About 9 mm. Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; dull to slightly glossy. Wing color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close to            N155C and 182D; colors and patterns on the outer surface are            visible on the inner surface. Outer surface: Close to N170D,            182D and 147C stippled, streaked and tessellated with close            to 200A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescences observed on ten week-old shadehouse-grown            potted plants.        -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with mint and            camphor notes.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about ten weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 11 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 7.5 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 3.5 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 5 cm. Depth,            distal open portion: About 2 cm. Width, at constriction:            About 1.2 cm. Width, proximal closed portion: About 2.7 cm.            Shape, open portion: Elliptic. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Acute.            Margin: Entire; smooth; slightly recurved. Texture and            luster, front surface: Smooth, glabrous; dull. Texture and            luster, rear surface: Smooth, glabrous; dull; slightly            glaucous. Color, front surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 155C; with development, color becoming closer to 199B to            199C. Proximal closed portion: Close to 148C to 148D;            towards the base, flushed with close to 187A; color does not            change with development. Color, rear surface: Distal open            portion: Close to 155C flushed with close to 145D; color            does not change with development. Proximal closed portion:            Close to 147C and 146B to 146C mottled and streaked with            close to 185A, 184A and 187D; color does not change with            development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 8.7 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 5 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.4 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 2.3 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 1 cm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 6 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 9 mm. Shape:            Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse. Aspect:            Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 158D. Color,            mature, sterile zone: Close to 158D. Color, mature, female            zone: Close to N155D. Male flowers: Quantity per spadix:            About 205. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3 mm. Diameter:            About 3.5 mm. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close            to 10C. Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 160.            Shape: Ovate to elliptic. Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter:            About 2.2 mm. Stigma color: Close to N155D. Ovary color:            Close to 159C.        -   Scape.—Length: About 29 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Strength:            Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous; distally, slightly glaucous. Color: Close to 181D            densely stippled and streaked with close to 200A; distally,            close to 182C to 182D and 147C stippled and streaked with            close to 182A.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Pathogen & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler    zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a    cool dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following    spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘Burst MyBubble’ as illustrated and described.